Schwinn Traveler fork question

I have a 80-81 Schwinn Traveler, which has a stem size of .833 of an inch (Or something like that). Anyways I have a set of handlebars, threadless stem, and 1" stem adapter that I bought finding some pretty decent deals. Anyways I bought the 1" threadless stem adapter because I assumed because it was an older schwinn (non french or italian or anything weird) that the stem size would be 1". So I was suprised when the stem adapter wouldn't fit, so I did some research to find that I had a smaller stem so I couldn't use it. Now, my question is, Can I replace the fork designed for a .833" stem with a fork designed for a 1" stem? I think the only problem would be the headset, which I think if I found a 1" locknut, that might solve that problem. Anyways, I would really like to use the new bars and stem and everything so if I found a 1" threaded fork and was able to switch them out I would be good to go.

Just get an old style quill stem that will work with your handlebars and fork, and keep the stem adapter and stem for another project.

That's going to be a lot cheaper and easier than buying another fork and headset, and will look much nicer as well.

Originally Posted by TheBikeRollsOn

I have a 80-81 Schwinn Traveler, which has a stem size of .833 of an inch (Or something like that). Anyways I have a set of handlebars, threadless stem, and 1" stem adapter that I bought finding some pretty decent deals. Anyways I bought the 1" threadless stem adapter because I assumed because it was an older schwinn (non french or italian or anything weird) that the stem size would be 1". So I was suprised when the stem adapter wouldn't fit, so I did some research to find that I had a smaller stem so I couldn't use it. Now, my question is, Can I replace the fork designed for a .833" stem with a fork designed for a 1" stem? I think the only problem would be the headset, which I think if I found a 1" locknut, that might solve that problem. Anyways, I would really like to use the new bars and stem and everything so if I found a 1" threaded fork and was able to switch them out I would be good to go.

It's the inside diameter of the fork's steerer tube that's .833"(21.15mm or 5/6"), and so it uses a stem with a .833" diameter quill. The outside diameter of these steerer tubes is one inch. On the most common one inch forks/stems, the inside diameter of the steerer tube is 22.2mm (.875" or 7/8"), and so they use a stem with a 22.2mm diameter quill. The outside diameter of these steerer tubes is one inch as well.

What this means is that the wall thickness on your Schwinn's steerer tube is thicker than most other 1" steerer tubes, and so it uses a much less common .833" stem.

So I could just find another 1" fork that is meant for a 22.2mm(standard) stem and use that? I'm pretty sure that is what this means, which is fantastic because I imagine finding an old road fork probably won't be insanely hard, or I might update to 700c to match my wheelset. It wouldn't be that much of an issue had I not already bought the parts (with no intention of a nearby future project due to lack of space/time/money) and hadn't already chopped and flopped my original (steel) drops into bullhorns, which were great at first, but on longer rides the limited hand positions can be very bothersome.

And, it isn't so easy to find a .833" stem and the bars I have are ergo drops and will not fit in a quill stem without bending something out of place. I've thought of buying some old non ergo drops and just putting some hoods on those but I already have the bars and everything and would really like to go ahead and use them.

But thanks for the help and Well-biked again I just want to clarify that what you are saying is that I can use another fork because the outside diameter is the same?

But thanks for the help and Well-biked again I just want to clarify that what you are saying is that I can use another fork because the outside diameter is the same?

That is correct, if that's what you want to do. I think it's questionable whether it would be worth it, but that's your decision. Even the headset on your Schwinn will work on the common 1" threaded forks, the threading is the same, only the locknut is different at the very top inner diameter (to account for the smaller diameter stem). You can easily sand that part out or use a dremel to make the locknut work.

Could I attach a threadless stem to that? I think that is just a riser for another quill stem. I think what I need is a threadless adapter like I have, something like this http://www.ebikestop.com/profile_con...tem-SM6400.php but again thanks for all of the help, I think I'm going to start looking for a fork and locknut which hopefully won't be a huge issue. Anyways, my headset probably needs repacking anyway because I didn't do a very good job last time I don't think, plus it's been like 5-6 months.

I'm pretty sure that you could attach a threadless stem to that, but you might want to call / e-mail them to double check.

Originally Posted by TheBikeRollsOn

Could I attach a threadless stem to that? I think that is just a riser for another quill stem. I think what I need is a threadless adapter like I have, something like this http://www.ebikestop.com/profile_con...tem-SM6400.php but again thanks for all of the help, I think I'm going to start looking for a fork and locknut which hopefully won't be a huge issue. Anyways, my headset probably needs repacking anyway because I didn't do a very good job last time I don't think, plus it's been like 5-6 months.

Okay, so I found this fork on amazon, I think it meets all the right measurements, the only thing I'm not sure about is the steertube length, mine is around 7.25in and this is around 7.85in, that seems to be an acceptable amount of difference without causing any crazy problems, right?